Suspects in HS student’s killing nabbed

Makati Mayor Abigail Binay yesterday lauded the city’s police force following the arrest of five alleged fraternity members tagged in the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old high school student last week.

Sr. Supt. Gerardo Umayao, Makati City police chief, said they have in custody three minors all aged 16 years old, and Earlberth Solera, 19.

All are residents of Barangay San Antonio.

The police said John Ernest Rivera was mercilessly stabbed to death by alleged members of Youth Scorpion Fraternity at around 4:20 p.m. on Friday in front of San Antonio High School.

Witnesses said the suspects first mauled the victim before stabbing him with fan knives or “balisongs.”

One of the minors was arrested after the incident.

The following day, one of the minors and Solera turned themselves in. Intensive follow-up police operations led to the arrest of the two other minors last Sunday.

“I strongly condemn this horrific act of violence which has abruptly ended the life of a young man, along with his dreams of a bright future. It is very alarming that some of the alleged suspects are minors,” Binay said.

“We all need to fulfil our respective roles in keeping the youth safe and protect them from any form of danger, whether they are at home, in school, or anywhere in the city. Let us not allow all our efforts to provide quality education for our children go to waste, and prevent such a senseless death from happening again in our city,” she added.